Brookfield acquisition will create alternatives giant.

Would match largest money manager in world

NEW YORK • Brookfield Asset Management Inc. agreed to buy a majority stake in Oaktree Capital Group, a combination that would rival Blackstone Group as the world’s largest alternative money manager.

Brookfield will acquire a 62 per cent stake in Oaktree in a cash and stock deal worth roughly US$4.7 billion, the companies said Wednesday in a statement. The firms together will have about US$475 billion of assets under management and US$2.5 billion of annual fee-related revenue. Blackstone had US$472 billion of assets at year-end.

The deal will bolster the credit business of Brookfield, which has traditionally focused on real estate. It also provides Oaktree, a specialist in distressed debt, exposure to assets that thrive outside turbulent economic times. The transaction enables the Toronto-based firm to broaden its product offerings, especially as the world’s largest institutional investors look to allocate billions of dollars to fewer firms, Brookfield chief executive Bruce Flatt said.

“We had difficulty, up until now, meeting the strict terms of some of those mandates,” Flatt said. “Very few firms in the world are able to do that.”

Oaktree co- Chairman Howard Marks said in the interview that the two firms mesh “culturally and in terms of product lines without competing and overlapping.”

Brookfield, which approached Oaktree in October, will acquire shares of the Los Angeles-based firm for US$49 in cash or 1.077 Brookfield shares, a 12.4 per cent premium as of March 12.

Oaktree rose 12 per cent to US$49 at 12:02 p.m. in New York, the biggest gain since the company went public in 2012. Brookfield fell 0.2 per cent.

Brookfield, founded 120 years ago, is Canada’s largest alternative investment firm and owns companies ranging from real estate to infrastructure and renewable power. Iconic holdings include Manhattan West, the new complex at New York’s Hudson Yards, and Brookfield Place near Wall Street.

In the past year the firm acquired mall owner GGP Inc. for US$13 billion, Forest City Realty Trust for US$6.7 billion and a power-solutions business from Johnson Controls for US$13.2 billion.

Shares of Brookfield have been a stellar performer for decades, posting a 21 per cent annual return since 2009, double the gain of the S&P/ TSX Composite Index.

Marks, Bruce Karsh and other partners founded Los Angeles-based Oaktree in 1995. The firm managed US$120 billion in distressed debt, private equity holdings, real estate, infrastructure and other equity assets as of Dec. 31. It has returned 78 per cent since its initial public offering.

“We could see more M&A across the sector as aging founders of alternative managers seek a liquidity event and money managers bolster capabilities in alternatives,” Morgan Stanley analysts led by Michael Cyprys said in a note to clients.

KKR & Co. rose 1.8 per cent, Carlyle Group LP gained 2.6 per cent and Ares Management Corp. added 1.7 per cent.

Under the terms of the deal, Brookfield could take over full ownership of Oaktree by 2029. The companies will continue to operate independently, with each keeping its brand and led by existing management. Marks, 72, will join Brookfield’s board.

Bruce Flatt